H.R. 7280: Veteran DATA Act

Summary

The Veteran DATA Act is a bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives that aims to:

1. Prohibit the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from entering into contracts that allow contractors to sell sensitive personal information maintained by the VA.
2. Require the VA to ensure the protection of personal information in certain VA contracts.

Key Provisions

1. Prohibition on Selling Sensitive Personal Information: The bill amends Title 38 of the U.S. Code to explicitly prohibit the VA Secretary from entering into contracts that permit contractors to sell or disclose for consideration any sensitive personal information maintained by the VA.

2. Protecting Personal Information in VA Contracts:

   • Within 1 year, the VA Secretary must:
     • Ensure that each "covered contract" (VA contracts involving the handling of protected personal information) includes a clause prohibiting the monetization, sale, or misuse of this information by contractors.
     • Issue guidance to VA employees and contractors on identifying and preventing the misuse of protected personal information.
   • The VA Secretary must also submit a report to Congress within 1 year detailing the required contract clause, the guidance issued, and other actions taken to comply with these requirements.

Potential Impact

• This bill aims to strengthen protections for veterans' sensitive personal and medical information maintained by the VA.
• It would prohibit the VA from allowing contractors to profit off the sale of veterans' private data, which could help prevent data breaches and misuse of veterans' information.
• The new contract requirements and guidance are intended to ensure better oversight and accountability around the handling of veterans' personal data by VA contractors.

Procedural Details

• The bill was introduced in the House on January 30, 2026 and referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
• As an introduced bill, it must go through the full legislative process before potentially becoming law, including committee consideration, floor votes in the House and Senate, and either the President's signature or a Congressional override of a presidential veto.